Sunday, February 28, 2016

Crockpot Make Ahead Ground Beef

So you are wondering "How to cook ground beef in a crockpot"? Here's my little short cut for time saving weekday cooking and also several time saving weeknight dinner ideas too!A few weeks ago I posted my Lazy Day Chili recipe and suggested that you use pre-cooked ground beef to cut the
preparation time. I received a lot of emails asking how I prepare mine.

It is not uncommon to see 3 or 4 crockpots going at the same time at my house. Time just seems to get away from us and after having to stop for fast
food one too many times I decided to take matters into my own hands.

I love to make shredded chicken to have it on hand for quick burritos, salads, bbq chicken sandwiches and other easy lunch and dinners.

Then, I also started making ground beef ahead so I have plenty of options on a busy night. Like on nights we don't get home from TaeKwonDo until 7:00pm and we didn't get to eat before we left. I grab a package of precooked ground beef out of the freezer and toss it in a pot with spaghetti sauce and boil some pasta. Viola! Dinner in 10 minutes.

Flautas - combine ground beef, 4 ounces cream cheese, 4 ounces salsa, 4 ounces shredded Colby Jack cheese. Lay out 4 (6 inch flour) tortillas at a time and add 1-2 tablespoons of mixture to the
lower 1/3 of the tortilla. Roll the taquito tightly without tearing the
tortilla. Place taquitos seam side down on the baking sheet. Repeat
until the baking sheet is full, being careful not to allow the taquitos
to touch. Spray taquitos with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt. Bake 15-20
minutes until the tortillas are crisp or the ends begin to brown.

Check out below for more recipes and ideas. What are your favorite ways to use pre-cooked ground beef?

Check out some of our favorite dinner helpers:Click on the image or the bold recipe title and it will open each one in a new tab.

5 Ingredient Lazy Day Chiliis perfect to start with our make ahead ground beef. Simply toss all ingredients in a sauce pan over medium heat and simmer for 5 minutes. This thick and hearty chili is truly one of our favorite chili recipes ever it is
perfect for winter or fall, spring or even summer barbecuing. Any recipe that tastes this good and can be put together on a lazy day is a keeper in my book!

Bacon Double Cheeseburger Beer Cheese Soup is loaded with thick cut bacon and seasoned ground beef in the most
scrumptious beer cheese soup. One pot, 25 minutes and you have dinner. You can make it with Make Ahead Ground Beef and save yourself about 5 minutes. Just toss it in with the bacon and proceed.

A Mexican Food Party Taco Bar is perfect for any party or gathering. Fabulous homemade taco recipe. Cut some time out of taco prep. Simply add precooked beef to a skillet with 1/4 cup water and taco seasoning. Cover for 10 minutes and remove cover and cook until the water evaporates.

Combine ingredients in a crock pot. Stir and combine. Cook on high 2-3 hours
or low 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally. Drain if necessary.

Divide into portions, place in freezer safe resealable zip top bags. Freeze for several months.

COOK'S NOTES: Cook up to 5 pounds at a time, adjust cooking time as necessary. I divide in half and freeze in 1 pound (pre-cook weight) portions, as that is the most common amount in the recipes I use.

I COOK IT THIS WAY. TAKE A LARGE CLASS BOWL A PLASTIC COLANDER TO FIT IN IT.BREAK UP HAMBURGER, PUT IN COLANDER, MICROWAVE FOR 10 MIN. BREAK THE MEAT UP AGAIN. BACK TO MICRO UNTIL DONE. FAT IS IN BOTTOM OF BOWL.REFIRIG THE BOWL UNTIL HARD , SKIM OFF FAT, DISCARD AND USE THE REST FOR SOUP STOCK.FREEZE HAMBURGER TO USE LATER. I HAVE DONE IT THIS WAY FOR MANY YEARS.